LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 214, 28 April 1877, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[Per Press Agency.] NEW PLYMOUTH. April 26. A bauquet was given to the Hon. the Premier this evening, the Mayor occupying the chair. Major Atkinson, in responding to the to.ast of the evening, after thanking them for the cordial reception given him, said he should briefly foreshadow what was the ministerial policy and intentions of the Government. The policy of the Government was to complete the establishment of local self-government already established; to establish an efficient form of primary education ; to promote the settlement of the waste lands; to cultivate a good understanding with the native race ; to reduce the annual expenditure of the public works, but still to continue to construct the main lines of railway till they were completed ; to reduce the ordinary expenditure within the narrow limits necessary for efficiency; to simplify the finance of the Colony, and place it on a sound basis for the future. He said the Municipal Corporations Act worked successfully; and

the Comities Act, with the experience gained, would be amended next session, so as- to make it effective and useful. He thanked the late Superintendents and Executive officers for the assistance they had given. He stated that education would have to be secular, and would be continued to be conducted by, Boards and committees. That a Waste Land Act would be introduced to enable small capitalists to occupy land, and give facilities to persons to secure land by deferred payments. Also to assist in opening up new bush country. The Government would also introduce an Act to enable greater facilities for acquiring native lands. Referring to finance, he regretted that the Customs revenue did not come up to the amount estimated. He spoke of the difficulties the Government had experienced, and of the reductions made in the civil service. He spoke of the loans negotiated with the Bank of New South Wales and the Bank of New Zealand, which would render it unnecessary for the Government to go home for farther loans for at least 12 months, and intimated that further arrangements had been made for another half million if Parliament approved of it. He believed that railways, in three or four centres would give some return for the expenditure on them. He then referred to matters of local interest—the harbj»h,which was about to be commenced railway to Inglewood, which was to bo opened by the Ist July ; the new public buildings to be erected ; and concluded by again thanking them for the honor done him. Major Atkinson spoke only for twenty-five minutes.

WELLINGTON. April 27. Mr O’Shea reports produce prices as follows Adelaide flour, none; Colonial, 15s to 15s lOd. Best brands oats, 3s to 3s 3d, Bacon, lOd to Is. Wheat, 3s 6d to 4s. Hams, - bacon, to lOd. Cheese, 7d to Potatoes, 80s. Maize, 5s 3d. Pollard, 7s lOd to Bs. NEW PLYMOUTH. April 27. Mr Courtney held lus usual cattle sale yesterday, when the following prices were realised ;—Store cows, £5 to £6 5s ; heifers, at calving, £6 15s to £8 ; 3-year-old steers, £6 11s; fat cows, £8 10s; fat bullocks, £7 15s to £9. Store ewes, 6s ; small fat sheep, 9s. CHRISTCHURCH. April 27. Produce quotations; Milling wheat, 5s ; second quality, 2s 6d to 4s. Oats, 2s 3d. Barley, 3s to 3s fid. Flour, £ls, in sacks. Bran, 4s. Sharps, £5. Cheese, 7cl. Butter, lid to Is. Potatoes, £3. Wheat shipments to England are heavy, and market very firm for prime quality.